Thread: First successfull shave!

Hi guys,

I'm new here, and just finished my second shave. Well, my first shave without significant blood loss!

It went quite well. I'm using a cheap Shavette right now, with a Parker on order.

I nicked myself once on a spot on my chin thats prone to it, even with a mach 3. Other than that, I'm really happy.

I did end up with a fair bit of what looks like razor burn. I'm hoping it improves with the new razor, and better quality blades.

Any tips for reducing razor burn?

I lathered up really well, with Proraso soap, which I'm really digging, and followed up with some lotion.

Not bad just a little redness in some spots. I made two passes in some spots, which might have done it.

I may eventually go to a true straight later on in the year. Theres just too much going on right now to invest the time into learning.


Anyway, great site!!! I'm looking forward to my next shave.

Welcome to SRP, and congrats on your shaving accomplishments. I have never used a shavette, but I hear they have a harsh tendency. A real straight razor might improve your experience. Also, one of the hardest things to learn is to use very very light pressure. Too much pressure increases razor burn, and doesn't even improve your shave. Go light, wether you use a shavette or a regular straight. And finally, prep and aftercare will help. Have a shower, use good moist lather, use a warm damp towel, apply more lather, then shave, lightly, lightly. After your shave use a soothing balm. Just stick with it and you will find what works for you, but it is better to start out doing a good preparation. As your shaving technique improves you will have less problems. Best of luck, and have fun.

Thanks for the reply!

Yeah its really a blast. Its a real sense of accomplishment, and quite fulfilling. I'm already looking forward to the next shave.

Ive been using Poraso soap, which seems pretty nice. I didnt shave post shower, so I may try that next time.

Thanks for the welcome!

Ryan

Getting razor burn with a Shavette style razor is almost always a result of using too much pressure. You just cannot use too little pressure with a Shavette.

Thanks for the replies.

Ive since shaved twice more, and have gotten a far more comfortable shave. The third shave I finished off with the same amount of blood in my body as prior!

Its fairly straight forward once you get used to it. Still a small bit of razor burn on the neck, but its probably from too much pressure again.

Hi Ryan, and welcome. You already got some great advice. I've never used a Shavette myself, but hear they are so sharp, they do tend to cause irritation. Definitely, lighten up, and mind the angle of the blade. Also, be sure to do a good prep. If you don't shower first, use a hot towel on your face, then apply some pre shave oil. Olive Oil can be use, or even baby oil. Used on a regular basis, this will help soften your beard. Good quality soap or shave cream helps too.

Proraso is a good soap, so no worries there. Some guys will hit trouble spots, like your chin with the old multi blade razor until they get the hang of str8 shaving.
Rich

Thanks Rich.

Yeah, I keep some cheapy bics on hand for the chin. Otherwise I'm shaving 100% with the shavette now.

I've ordered some better blades, and a DE for when I have slightly less time.

I found a nice old Boker King Cutter at an antique shop I'm trying to polish up. The tip had a small chip I rounded out, but the blade looks straight and pit free. We'll see.

It was 12 bucks because of the tip, but its back in good shape now, although slightly modified. If its not worth honing, it wont have me sleeping on the couch.

Ryan- As a fellow newbie-Shavette learner, I'll pass on what I have learned in the month or so using the Shavette. I started with the shorts and tore my face up, so I went to the long blades and it was easier.

1. I started shaving in increments. First learned to do my cheeks. Started with only my right hand and now I can do left hand as well comfortably. As I got more comfortable with an area, then I would do something else- neck, adams apple, chin (still have some problems with that!). It was a joyous day when I first connected the areas- left side to right side.

2. I find a moderate amount of pressure is needed. A bit lighter with a fresh blade. I use short strokes.

3. Lubrication is life. I will touch up the lather mid-shave on areas that overlap. Use a good soap, which you are. I like the Taylor creams and Col Conk's products.

4. Inattentiveness will cause you grief. I laid my chin open the other day with a 1/4 gash that bled like you read about. Go slowly. Have a styptic pencil handy. I will still get myself now and then, but the bloodless days are now more frequent.

5. I can now do a second shaving with the shavette after I rinse and relather. I actually find the second pass easier, but don't get complacement. I will still touch up with my trusty mach 3, but as I get more confident and used to the shavette, I find that I'm using it less.

When I finally understand what I'm doing, I've got my wife's Grandad's Henckle waiting for me. Work has me scheduled to go to Poland in June, so I will probably look for a Wapienica. I'm also wanting to get a japanese blade.

Sounds like you're on the right track. Make it a ritual and it gets even better!

r/Barry

Thanks Barry,

yes, I'm a few shaves in now and loving it. I took to it fairly quickly I think, although I'm still hunting for a perfect shave.

I lather up in between as well. My beard is coarse, and a dry shave is an impossibility without some major pain.

I'm popping in a new blade tonight, so I'll be starting the curve with a little more respect for the shavette!

I picked up an old Boker straight I'm cleaning up. We'll see how that goes, but I've got a parker DE and shavette to get the job done until I decide on how deep I want to dive. I could see using both regularily, even if I get my straight to a useable state.

Its too bad, there was a number of vintage Japanese blades that went through ebay a few days ago. Theyre all pricey!! I'm sticking to the feather replacement blades. A nice Japanese straight would be great down teh road though.

Thanks for the reply.

Hi Ryan and welcome to SRP.

I'm also fairly new to straight razor shaving but I want to give you another tip about prepping before the shave.
I decided today to try using cold water instead of a hot shower as discussed in another place on the forum according to an old shaving pamphlet. So my procedure was that I filled my bowl with cold water and stuck my brush into it, added a little water to my shaving soap and let it sit for a while. In the meantime I used some cold water to just clean my face a little. I then poured out the water just leaving a little in the bottom and squeezed the excess water from my brush. Then build up the lather as usual and applying it to my face. I then rubbed it in good with my finger tips before adding another layer on top of that.

So far this is my best and closest shave yet. Not quite as enjoyable as the hot shower treatment since you are using cold water but the shave it self was great.

The only thing that didn't quite work for me was getting a good lather. I know exactly how to achieve it using hot water but it is a whole other story when using cold water. But I did manage to get a good lather in the end. Also it seemed like the brush didn't soak up the same amount of water as it does when it is warm.